Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana will lead a South African government delegation to the 57th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) at the UN headquarters, New York.
The delegation also includes Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini; Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Adv Ngoako Ramahlodi; and Deputy Minister of South African Police Service, Maggie Sotyu. Also to attend, will be the CEO for Film and Publications Board, Yoliswa Makhasi and representatives from the National Prosecutions Authority.
The Session, to be attended by government delegations from other UN member states, will discuss the scourge of violence against women and girls in societies across the world. Governments will also report to the UN work that has been done in their respective countries to prevent gender based violence. The Session, themed “Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls” will take place from 4 to 15 March 2013. The review theme for the Session is “Equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care giving in the context of HIV/AIDS”.
South Africa will participate in various activities of the Session and will host and coordinate the following side events:
- Gender based Violence- whose focus is on Improving coordination, accountability and implementation of Gender Based violence country programmes through holistic and multi-sectoral approaches and the establishments of supportive councils or related models.
- Economic Empowerment of Women- whose focus is on developing a tool towards eradication of Gender based Violence, dealing with causal effects of GBV which amongst many is poverty.
- Men and Boys emphasising the strengthening the hand in hand approach in the fight against Gender based violence, strategies and approaches for ending violence against women, strengthening partnerships for working solutions.
All Media related enquiries:
Ms Phuti Mabelebele
Dept of Women, Children and People with Disabilities
Cell: 076 402 7521 (sms only)
E-mail: Phuti@dwcpd.gov.za
Mr Mlimandlela Ndamase
Film and Publications Board
Cell: 071 686 8731
E-mail: Ndamasem@fpb.org.za
Mr Abram Phahlamohlaka
Dept of Social Development
Cell: 082 928 6590
E-mail: AbramP@dsd.gov.za
